BYU Sidelines

Monty and I have been roaming the sidelines of the BYU football games for over 16 years now. Monty a few seasons longer than I. It is hard to believe that so much time has passed by and that so many games have been played. Miami, Florida State, Texas, Washington, UCLA, Michigan, Notre Dame, Boston College...and on and on. Although when you look at the pile of sideline passes that I have kept from all of the games, it is easy to remember all of the good times we have had. We have met some very cool people as we have been down there. Great players, coaches from all over the country, crazy fans that wear some of the wildest get-ups, sports commentators, general authorities, great Americans who have been honored during the pre-game activities and others who have been invited to the field. We have also met dozens of very normal, yet interesting, people that we have stood shoulder to shoulder with on the busy sidelines. There is one photographer that has been there for years. We love to joke that we have known him for years...but don't even know his name! Not that we don't want to ask, we just do it to keep our streak going! Mont and I play our own little game within the game and it doesn't always have anything to do with football. We gave stood through rain storms, snow storms, fog, sun as well as perfectly pleasant fall afternoons that were just made for football. We have seen winning seasons and a few loosing seasons. We have helped opposing teams and officiating crews when things were good, and we have witnessed some sad scenes when emotions take the better part of good judgement. We try to be the smiling face and warm handshake to those who travel long distances to play our team and enjoy the beauty of the unique stadium that sits at the base of our majestic mountains. I don't know how many times we have heard the gasps of players and coaches who walk out onto the perfectly manicured field, see the 65,000 empty seats awaiting a sell out crowd, look up and admire the championship banners that hang above the west stands, and then turn around to see the towering Y mountain that leans over the east side stands "peering" into the stadium below. One player from Florida asked if the mountains could possibly fall over on us! Serious. To them they feel ominous...to us they offer protection and beauty. We try to be pleasant when we really don't feel like it...especially when Utah wins and then celebrates on our field. They probably feel the same way when we beat them in Salt Lake. We listen to complaints of stressed out equipment managers and staff. But most of all we hear how awesome this beautiful setting is and how welcome they feel as they come to Provo to play football in Lavell Edwards Stadium. When Notre Dame came a few years ago, 20 managers paid their own way, just to have the experience of seeing Cougar Stadium. Seldom do we see a team leave Provo without an expression of thanks and a compliment to the way they were treated...win or loose. It has been a good ride for us...and I guess it will continue for a few more seasons. Thanks Mick for signing us up many years ago...you probably didn't plan on us staying around so long! I thought I would post a few pictures from this season. I have others but they are buried somewhere in the digital archives. Mont and I have to share the sidelines with others. Its a pleasure, and part of our job!Some girls that are typical of the emotion and excitement in the stands on Saturdays

This is a hero. He is a colonel in the Air Force that flew daring missions during the Korean and Vietnam wars. If you look closely around his neck, you will see the Metal of Honor. Only about 100 of these guys left. Very cool.

Here are some happy UNLV fans (pre-game of course!) that were wearing some CTR shirts. If you read the back, they say "choose the Rebels"! I thought it was pretty unique. Very nice people who came to watch their sons play in Lavell Edwards Stadium.

Different but fun

Thought I'd post something I designed lately. Turned out ok.

The BEAUTIES of fall in Utah

Fall in Utah is one of the best reasons for living in this beautiful place. Every year the mountains become a glorious carpet of orange, yellow, green and red. The leaves in the mountains up Provo canyon are at their peak right now and it was a great excuse to get away from the valley and see a little of the Lord's handiwork. Erin and her friends decided (Saturday night at about 8:30) to head to the cabin for a "spur of the moment" girls get-a-way. That sounded great to us??!! Inside of 30 minutes we were packed up with chips, salsa, games and some stuff for breakfast. A quick stop at Albertson's and we even had smores with Reese's peanut buttercups. The girls had a great evening together talking and laughing and remembering stories that they have shared over the years. At about 1:30 am, after most of the mini candy bars were chomped (sorry Nana and Grandpa!)they finally hit the pillows with plenty of blankets to stay warm through the chilly night. Sunday morning came early... complete with hot chocolate, french toast, bacon and some left over chips. On the road by 10:00 am to get back to the valley in time for our Church meetings. The ride down the canyon, drenched in the morning sun, was really something to behold. The colors were beautiful...it was a sweet little road trip indeed! These are awesome girls...part of the beauty of fall. The road to the cabin
Pears from Nana and Grandpa's tree...plenty to share!

Peaches Peaches Peaches !!!

Well can you believe these beautiful peaches we harvested from our tree this year? These are so yummy ! Each year just gets better and better. I wish we could send some to you - one of my best gifts (a peach tree) from my amazing children, and it just keeps giving. Thank===you to all my amazing children. If you want to taste them you have to come to Utah!

MTC...the Russian saga begins

This is Elder Reid and Elder Mattee giving the "thumbs up" to missionary work by the sign in front of the MTC in Provo Utah. Elder Mattee is an Air Force cadet who also is a football player for the Academy. He is in Dustin's district. This is District "Comb-over Day"
Self Explanatory. Nothing is closed when D is in town!
Elder Reid and Turnbill in front of the Provo Temple
Elder Reid's district. left to right is: Elder Duffy, Crawford, Mattee, Whitehead, Fuentes and Sister Milne. Sister Milne is a first cousin to the Johnson's who live in our ward. We think she kind of looks like Jenny J.
A chance meeting of the branch. Always happy to see each other evidently!
The language is coming along very well. He says that he can "teach" the first lesson in Russian, which is something that he thought that he would never be able to do. They have been very blessed to have three apostles come to the MTC and speak to them. They have a devotional each Tuesday night. The most recent being President Uchtdorf. He has been keeping his journal up to date and using it to reflect on the things he has learned, noting that he is amazed at his own progress just since he checked into the MTC. His group is now the oldest of the Russian missionaries. He is excited for new missionaries to arrive so he can see how it is to welcome the new kids on the block. Dustin is also singing in the choir! Yes, you read correctly...singing in the choir. We knew he had a great voice, its just that he never really would sing in public. Now, he is enjoying the spirit of the gospel in a new way for him and he loves it. We hope that the missionaries will be asked to sing in General Conference. Elder D-4 is doing great. He says" Thanks for all your support"!

Elder Reid (#3) enters the MTC

August 13th, 2008 - Well we had the great blessing of taking Elder Dustin Reid to the MTC today. It was hard to say goodbye! It seems as though we should have been more prepared for this day (having done this with Christopher and Brad, as well as some nieces, nephews & friends) but it was sad to hug him for the last time and realize that we will not have his spirit in our home for 2 years. He will be missed !